Bikini bottom

ABSTRACT

A bikini bottom which prevents visible spotting from bodily fluids has a crotch portion made from at least three layers of material, including an outer layer, an inner lining layer, and an intermediate layer of waterproof material between the inner and outer layers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to apparel, and more particularly to a bikini bottom designed to prevent spotting during a wearer's period.

Prior inventors have proposed a number of solutions to the problem of menstrual blood and other bodily fluids seeping through fabric and being visible on the outside of a garment.

Some of these solutions involve placing an absorbent material between the wearer's body and the outer fabric of the garment. See, for example, U.S. patent application publication 2010/0249736.

Others place a fluid impervious barrier layer between the body and the outer garment fabric. Some, such as U.S. patent application publication US2008/0114327, provide both absorbency and a barrier layer.

Most of the above inventions are implemented specifically for underpants. None is specifically for swimwear, specifically bikini bottoms. Bikini bottoms cannot safely use solutions designed for underpants, because they are smaller than underpants and are worn where they are highly visible and likely to be wet.

It would be useful to improve upon the prior solutions by providing a bikini bottom having improved anti-spotting qualities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to prevent spotting of a bikini bottom during a woman's period.

This and other objects are met by the invention described below and shown in the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bikini bottom embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof, showing the crotch area from the inside.

FIG. 3 is a view of the crotch portion of the bikini bottom, showing the outer layer with spotting as might occur without the protection provided by the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 3, showing the outer layer of the present invention, free of spots.

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4, showing the three layers of the present invention separated at one corner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a bikini bottom 10 embodying the invention is formed from an outer layer 12 of a fabric which is strong and flexible, so that it can securely fit the wearer's body. The exact shape, size and design of the outer layer are not shown in detail, such features being matters of design choice. Various suitable designs are well known to the person of ordinary skill in the field of this invention. A popular choice for the outer layer is a poly-spandex (“Lycra”) fabric.

The crotch portion 14 of the bikini bottom is shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the crotch portion alone, with the outermost layer foremost. In FIG. 3, spotting is visible, as may happen with prior bikinis. FIG. 4 shows a spot-free bottom, the result of the present invention.

Like conventional bikinis, the bikini bottom of the present invention has an inner lining 16 which bears against the wearer's body. The inner lining is selected for qualities of comfort and its ability to absorb water.

According to this invention, an intermediate layer of waterproof material 20 is disposed between the Lycra fabric and the inner lining, as seen in FIG. 5. The particular waterproof material is chosen for its qualities of water imperviousness and comfort. The intermediate layer acts as a barrier and better prevents bodily fluids from reaching the outer layer of the bikini bottom.

A particularly preferred waterproof material is a two-ply antibacterial polyester terry cloth combined with a waterproof but air pervious (breathable) thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membrane.

The terry cloth preferably has a dry basis weight of about 110 g/m². The membrane preferably is about 0.015 mm thick and white in color. The terry cloth may be made from an antibacterial yarn such as AntBAC, a product of Antex Group, Anglés, Spain. AntBAC yarns incoporate silver ions to provide actibacterial qualities.

The membrane and cloth combined have a basis weight of about 148 g/m². The material is eco-friendly, and biocompatible with human skin.

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is any of a class of polyurethane plastics with many properties, including elasticity, transparency, and resistance to oil, grease and abrasion. Technically, they are thermoplastic elastomers consisting of linear segmented block copolymers composed of hard and soft segments.

The outer, inner and intermediate layers are assembled by sewing or other techniques which are well known in the field of bikini design, and are therefore not described in detail.

Inasmuch as the invention is subject to modifications and variations, it is intended that the foregoing description and the drawings should be interpreted as merely illustrative of the invention defined by the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A bikini bottom comprising a crotch area comprising at least three layers of material, said layers including an outer layer, an inner lining layer, and an intermediate layer of waterproof material between the inner and outer layers.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the waterproof material comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane membrane which is impervious to water but air pervious.
 3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the waterproof material comprises 